Blue Cross blog

Seeing your pet suffer is never easy, and dealing with a sick or injured dog is a very distressing time. However, it’s important to stay calm and assess the situation in order to keep yourself and those around you safe.

A sick or injured dog will be frightened and in pain, so may be more likely to bite if someone tries to touch them.

Caroline Reay, chief vet at our Merton animal hospital suggests the following advice for handling a sick or injured dog:

• If you can, call your vet as soon as possible so they can advise you what to do.
• If possible, muzzle the dog or wrap tape around the nose and behind the ear, unless it is having trouble breathing.
• If it is a smaller dog, wrap a thick towel around their head in order to restrain them.
• Try to handle the sore parts of the animal as little as possible and use padded bedding to make them comfortable.
• If necessary, you can use a drawer or a cupboard door as a stretcher for taking them to the vet, driving as carefully as you can.
• If you need to get the dog into a carry case, you could try creating a ‘false escape route’, at the end of which you can put the carrier. You can also try luring them into it with food but if the dog is frightened, they probably won’t be interested in the treat.
• Never give human medicine to a dog as it will do more harm than good, and don’t be tempted to give them food or water in case an anaesthetic is needed.

Every year, The Blue Cross treats thousands of sick and injured animals through at our animal hospitals and rehoming centres. We provide these services for free to our clients. Please make a donation today to help us continue this vital animal welfare work.